Keith Jones steps down at SG
(San Gabriel) After ten seasons over 11 years, Keith Jones has decided to step down as head coach of the San Gabriel Matadors football team.
“It’s time,” said Jones. “It’s been a great run, I’ve a had great time, but its time for another phase in my life.”
While Jones wouldn’t rule out a return to coaching, he did rule out a return to head coaching.
“It’s a lot of work,” he said. “You have to deal with administration, staff, boosters, fundraising so many things. Did Johnny go to class? Where’s he at? After a while it takes its toll. If I could stay in the game as an assistant and just do the X’s and O’s, I’d be interested.”
While Jones seeks a new phase in life, the previous phase wasn’t too bad.
To go along with the very celebrated 2003 run to the CIF Finals, Jones accomplished firsts at SG that are overlooked and taken for granted by other programs.
Such as:
The first round playoff victory over Arroyo in 2003 was the first in school history
The 2003 run allowed the Matadors to play their first football game in school history after Thanksgiving.
Three consecutive victories over Bell Gardens, a school they had never beaten in 15 Almont seasons.
A share of the Almont League title in 2007.
On campus football games.
A newly renovated stadium
…and perhaps more importantly the culture of San Gabriel football.
“They believe now,” Jones said motioning his head towards a group of basketball players shooting around before practice. “They have a little bit of a chip on their shoulder, a little bit of a swagger, they expect to win. I’m proud of that.”
In September of 1999 the Matadors were coming off a 2-8 season and down early at South Pasadena in Jones first game before rallying for a 13-10 victory. The show closed down for good last November in a playoff loss to West Covina.
Jones finishes with a 60-47 overall record. He was 4-5 in the playoffs, and 26-24 in Almont league play.
Since entering the Almont in 1992 San Gabriel has had four other coaches besides Jones. Gary Gonzalez, Sean Hampton, Gary Orona, and Andy Cupp*. The combined record of these coaches in Almont play was 8-32. Overall these coaches were a combined 19-60-1. One playoff appearance, one winning record, no sniff, share, or outright league titles.
What comes to Jones mind most when he considers his time at SG (Where he will continue to teach) isn’t a particular victory or award, but a play.
“In our playoff game against Santa Fe (semifinals, 2003) Joseph Park was running a dig route and got positively leveled by the safety. As the safety is dancing and celebrating, Joe just got up tossed the ball to the ref and went back to huddle. It was awesome, our fans went crazy. It set the mood of what we were about.”
*Note: After the 2003 season, Jones stepped down for one year. Former Temple City JV HC Cupp stepped in. In 2005 Jones returned.
Leave a Reply